REHAB GUIDELINES

REVERSE TOTAL
SHOULDER
ARTHROPLASTY
(RTSA)
BY LTC J. EICHINGER MD
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER

Patient: ___________________ Date of Surgery: ___________

General Information
-Total Recovery time is between 4-6 months depending on factors such as injury severity, patient
sport/activity/age and type of repair.
-Adherence to rehab protocol guidelines and restrictions is critical in avoiding re-injury or
failures.
_Immobilization
- External Rotation Immobilizer Sling should be worn for 8 weeks in uncontrolled environments
(around dogs, kids, in crowds,
etc.).
- Sling should be worn while sleeping for 6 weeks.
- Sling may be removed in controlled environments for light activity after 6 weeks.
- Discontinue sling completely at 8 weeks.
_Personal Hygiene / Showering
- Avoid getting incision/portal sites wet for 48 hours.
- Ok to begin showering 48 hours after surgery (if no wound related issues).
- Avoid baths, saunas, pools, lakes, etc for two weeks.
- DO NOT remove steristrips, allow them to fall off on their own.

General Information:
Reverse or Inverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (rTSA) is designed for the treatment
of glenohumeral (GH) arthritis when it is associated with irreparable rotator cuff tears,
complex fractures as well as for a revision of a previously failed conventional Total Shoulder
Arthroplasty (TSA).
Because the rotator cuff is either absent or minimally involved with the rTSA; rehabilitation for a
patient following the rTSA is different than the rehabilitation following a traditional TSA.
Patients who receive a rTSA also have different limitations in comparision to a traditional TSA
including lifetime lifting limits of 10-15 lbs as well as range of motion limits. Additional patient
specific factors also dictate recovery time, activity limitations and rehabilitation precautions. The
surgeon, physical therapist and patient need to take these into consideration when establishing the
postoperative treatment plan.
The following are general rehabilitation management concepts to consider for a postoperative

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physical therapy rTSA program:
Joint protection: There is a higher risk of shoulder dislocation following rTSA than a
conventional TSA.
o Avoidance of shoulder extension past neutral and the combination of
shoulder adduction and internal rotation should be avoided for 12 weeks
postoperatively.
o Patients with rTSA who develop instability typically dislocate with the arm in internal
rotation and adduction in conjunction with extension. As such, tucking in a shirt or performing
bathroom / persona hygiene with the operative arm is an
especially dangerous activity particularly in the immediate peri-operative
phase.
Deltoid function: Stability and mobility of the shoulder joint is now dependent
upon the deltoid and periscapular musculature. This concept becomes the
foundation for the postoperative physical therapy management for a patient that
has undergone rTSA.
ROM: Range of motion expectation is set on a case-by-case basis
depending upon underlying pathology. Normal/full active range of motion of the shoulder
joint following rTSA is not expected.

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Biomechanics

The rTSA prosthesis reverses the orientation of the shoulder joint by replacing the glenoid fossa
with a glenoid base plate and glenosphere and the humeral head with a shaft and concave cup.
This prosthesis design alters the center of rotation of the shoulder joint by moving it medially and
inferiorly. This subsequently increases the deltoid moment arm and deltoid tension, which
enhances both the torque produced by the deltoid as well as the line of pull / action of the deltoid.
This enhanced mechanical advantage of the deltoid compensates for the deficient RC as the
deltoid becomes the primary elevator of the shoulder joint. This results in an improvement of
shoulder elevation and often individuals are able to raise their upper extremity overhead.

Figure 1. Anterior Posterior radiograph of a left shoulder with rotator

cuff arthropathy. The superiorly migrated humeral head indicates rotator cuff deficiency.
A

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A
Figure 2. Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Components . The prosthesis has 5 parts: the
glenoid base, the
glenosphere, a polyethylene cup, humeral neck, and the humeral stem.

Figure 3. Anterior Posterior radiography of a shoulder after reverse

total shoulder arthroplasty.

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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Protocol:
The intent of this rehabilitation protocol is to provide the physical therapist with a
guideline/treatment protocol for the postoperative rehabilitation management for a patient who
has undergone a Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (rTSA). It is not intended to substitute for a
physical therapists clinical decision making regarding the progression of a patients
postoperative rehabilitation based on the individual patients physical exam/findings, progress,
and/or the presence of postoperative complications. If the physical therapist has questions or
requires assistance in the progression of a postoperative patient who has had rTSA the therapist
should consult with the
referring surgeon.
The scapular plane is defined as the shoulder positioned in 30 degrees of abduction and forward
flexion with neutral rotation. ROM performed in the scapular plane should enable appropriate
shoulder joint alignment.
Shoulder Dislocation Precautions:
No shoulder motion behind back. (NO combined shoulder adduction, internal
rotation, and extension.)
No glenohumeral (GH) extension beyond neutral.
*Precautions should be implemented for 12 weeks postoperatively unless surgeon
specifically advises patient or therapist differently.
Surgical Considerations:
The surgical approach needs to be considered when devising the postoperative plan of care.
Traditionally rTSA procedure is done via a typical deltopectoral approach, which
minimizes surgical trauma to the anterior deltoid.
Some surgeons perform this procedure via a superior approach, retracting the anterior
deltoid from the anterior lateral one third of the clavicle. This allows for superior
exposure to the GH joint between the retracted anterior deltoid and the clavicle. Upon
surgical closure the anterior deltoid is sutured back to its anatomical location. In these
cases early deltoid activity is contraindicated. We recommend a variation of the below
protocol for patients who have had a superior approach. Patients should use a sling for 4-
6 weeks, not to begin deltoid isometrics for at least four weeks postoperatively, not to
begin active range of motion (AROM) flexion for at least six weeks, and not begin
deltoid strengthening for at least 12 weeks post operatively.
The start of this protocol is delayed 3-4 weeks following rTSA for a revision
and/or in the presence of poor bone stock based on the surgeon's assessment of
the integrity of the surgical repair. In the case of a delayed start to physical
therapy adjust below timeframes so that day 1 is the first day of physical therapy.

Progression to the next phase based on Clinical Criteria and Time Frames as Appropriate.
Phase I Immediate Post Surgical Phase/Joint Protection (Day 1-6 weeks):
Goals:
Patient and family independent with:
o Joint protection
o Passive range of motion (PROM)
o Assisting with putting on/taking off sling and clothing
o Assisting with home exercise program (HEP)
o Cryotherapy
Promote healing of soft tissue / maintain the integrity of the replaced joint.
Enhance PROM.
Restore active range of motion (AROM) of elbow/wrist/hand.
Independent with activities of daily living (ADLs) with modifications.
Independent with bed mobility, transfers and ambulation or as per pre-admission status.

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Phase I Precautions:
Sling is worn for 3-4 weeks postoperatively and only removed for exercise and bathing
once able. The use of a sling often may be extended for a total of 6 weeks, if the current
rTSA procedure is a revision surgery.
While lying supine, the distal humerus / elbow should be supported by a pillow or towel
roll to avoid shoulder extension. Patients should be advised to always be able to visualize their
elbow while lying supine.
No shoulder AROM.
No lifting of objects with operative extremity.
No supporting of body weight with involved extremity.
Keep incision clean and dry (no soaking/wetting for 2 weeks); No whirlpool, Jacuzzi,
ocean/lake wading for 4 weeks.
Acute Care Therapy (Day 1 to 4):
Begin PROM in supine after complete resolution of interscalene block.
o Forward flexion and elevation in the scapular plane in supine to 90
degrees.
o External rotation (ER) in scapular plane to available ROM as indicated by
operative findings. Typically around 20-30 degrees.
o No Internal Rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM).
Active/Active Assisted ROM (A/AAROM) of cervical spine, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Begin periscapular sub-maximal pain-free isometrics in the scapular plane.
Continuous cryotherapy for first 72 hours postoperatively, then frequent application (4-5 times a
day for about 20 minutes).
Ensure patient is independent in bed mobility, transfers and ambulation
Ensure proper sling fit/alignment/ use.
Instruct patient in proper positioning, posture, initial home exercise program
Provide patient/ family with written home program including exercises and protocol
information.
Day 5 to 21:
Continue all exercises as above (typically 2-3 times per day).
Begin sub-maximal pain-free deltoid isometrics in scapular plane (avoid shoulder
extension when isolating posterior deltoid.)
Frequent (4-5 times a day for about 20 minutes) cryotherapy.
3 Weeks to 6 Weeks:
Progress exercises listed above.
Progress PROM:
o Forward flexion and elevation in the scapular plane in supine to 120 degrees.
o ER in scapular plane to tolerance, respecting soft tissue constraints.
Gentle resisted exercise of elbow, wrist, and hand.
Continue frequent cryotherapy.
Criteria for progression to the next phase (Phase II):
Tolerates shoulder PROM and isometrics; and, AROM- minimally resistive program for
elbow, wrist, and hand.
Patient demonstrates the ability to isometrically activate all components of the deltoid
and periscapular musculature in the scapular plane.
Phase II Active Range of Motion / Early Strengthening Phase (Week 6 to 12):
Goals:
Continue progression of PROM (full PROM is not expected).
Gradually restore AROM.
Control pain and inflammation.
Allow continued healing of soft tissue / do not overstress healing tissue.

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 Re-establish dynamic shoulder and scapular stability.
Precautions:
Due to the potential of an acromion stress fracture one needs to continuously monitor the
exercise and activity progression of the deltoid. A sudden increase of deltoid activity
during rehabilitation could lead to excessive acromion stress. A gradually progressed pain
free program is essential.
Continue to avoid shoulder hyperextension.
In the presence of poor shoulder mechanics avoid repetitive shoulder AROM
exercises/activity.
Restrict lifting of objects to no heavier than a coffee cup.
No supporting of body weight by involved upper extremity.
Week 6 to Week 8:
Continue with PROM program.
At 6 weeks post op start PROM IR to tolerance (not to exceed 50 degrees) in the scapular plane.
Begin shoulder AA/AROM as appropriate.
o Forward flexion and elevation in scapular plane in supine with progression to
sitting/standing.
o ER and IR in the scapular plane in supine with progression to sitting/standing.
Initiate gentle scapulothoracic rhythmic stabilization and alternating isometrics in supine as
appropriate. Minimize deltoid recruitment during all activities / exercises.
Progress strengthening of elbow, wrist, and hand.
Gentle glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joint mobilizations as indicated (Grade I and
II).
Continue use of cryotherapy as needed.
Patient may begin to use hand of operative extremity for feeding and light activities of
daily living including dressing, washing.
Week 9 to Week 12:
Continue with above exercises and functional activity progression.
Begin gentle glenohumeral IR and ER sub-maximal pain free isometrics.
Begin gentle periscapular and deltoid sub-maximal pain free isotonic strengthening
exercises. Begin AROM supine forward flexion and elevation in the plane of the
scapula with light weights (1-3lbs. or .5-1.4 kg) at varying degrees of trunk
elevation as appropriate. (i.e. supine lawn chair progression with progression to
sitting/standing).
Progress to gentle glenohumeral IR and ER isotonic strengthening exercises in sidelying
position with light weight (1-3lbs or .5-1.4kg) and/or with light resistance resistive bands or sport
cords.
Criteria for progression to the next phase (Phase III):
Improving function of shoulder.
Patient demonstrates the ability to isotonically activate all components of the deltoid and
periscapular musculature and is gaining strength.
Phase III Moderate strengthening (Week 12 +)
Goals:
Enhance functional use of operative extremity and advance functional activities.
Enhance shoulder mechanics, muscular strength and endurance.
Precautions:
No lifting of objects heavier than 2.7 kg (6 lbs) with the operative upper extremity
No sudden lifting or pushing activities.
Week 12 to Week 16:
Continue with the previous program as indicated.
Progress to gentle resisted flexion, elevation in standing as appropriate.

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Phase IV Continued Home Program (Typically 4 + months postop):
Typically the patient is on a home exercise program at this stage to be performed 3-4
times per week with the focus on:
Continued strength gains
Continued progression toward a return to functional and recreational activities within
limits as identified by progress made during rehabilitation and outlined by surgeon and
physical therapist.
Criteria for discharge from skilled therapy:
Patient is able to maintain pain free shoulder AROM demonstrating proper
shoulder mechanics. (Typically 80 120 degrees of elevation with functional ER
of about 30 degrees.)
Typically able to complete light household and work activities.

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